40. Jules
FORTY
JULES
“So what do you do exactly?” I ask. I lean forward, examining the hook on his bed frame. Hooking my finger through one, I tug slightly. It’s attached tightly.
My fascination with them is endless, especially since I’ve had multiple dreams about being tied to them. The dreams always have me waking up aroused, with a light sheen of sweat covering my body. In real life, they make my heart race for entirely different reasons.
“We eat and we talk,” Drew says from behind me.
I’m kneeling in his bed, facing away from him and toward the bed frame.
“That’s it?”
I jump when I feel his hand on my back and turn to look at him. He has one knee on the bed, kneeling close to me. I can see the darker green circling his irises.
“I can take them out if they bother you,” he says.
I twist my mouth to the side, biting the side of my cheek. “No, that’s okay. I’m still figuring things out.”
“Want to tell me what you’re thinking?” Drew asks.
“Not yet.” I shake my head. This part of our relationship is new and I want to enjoy it for a bit longer. He hasn’t even had dinner with my parents yet, which is ironically scheduled for Halloween. Perfect time for my mother to fly in on her broomstick.
I breathe in, then lean in closer, sniffing him a little. I pull back to look at him. “Are you wearing cologne?”
“Yeah,” he says, blushing slightly.
“For the HoBros?” I ask, way too delighted.
“And Coach. Don’t forget Coach will be here tonight,” Drew says.
“So you’re wearing the cologne for Coach?
” I let my eyes drag over him. He’s wearing blue jeans and a navy shirt, the sleeves rolled up slightly, his glasses perched on his nose, hair ruffled.
He’s left quite a few buttons open on his shirt, revealing the solid wall of his chest. “Come to think of it, you are dressed way too slutty. I mean get it, Coach is HOT. He should be categorized as a weapon of mass destruction for women.”
Drew rolls his eyes, straightening up. “These are my regular clothes, and don't talk about Coach like that. I have to work with the man and I can’t listen to him if I’m constantly thinking how my girlfriend thinks he’s hot. ”
I scramble off the bed and stand in front of him, my arms crossed. “How do you explain this?” I wave at the unbuttoned shirt.
“I was going to button it, but I got distracted by you,” he protests.
“Uh-huh. Sure. I believe you.”
“Why else would I leave my shirt half unbuttoned?” Drew asks. He starts to button it the rest of the way.
I shrug. “I don’t know. I’m not going to question what you wear or how you wear it. Your body, your choice.”
Drew rolls his eyes, dipping down to kiss the top of my head. “If you weren’t already in therapy, I’d recommend you start.”
“My parents and Gemma’s death beat you to that by about ten years. The trauma is what makes me funny and irresistible.”
The doorbell rings and Bailey barks downstairs, her nails clicking on the floor as she runs to the door.
“I’ll get it,” I say, patting his chest. “Finish getting ready for your boys.”
I turn, but Drew grabs my arm, pulling me back to him. He slants his mouth over mine, his body curved over mine. His tongue swipes into mine, tasting me, and I moan softly, gripping his arms.
The doorbell rings again and Drew pulls back, looking at me with heavy lidded eyes.
“It’s really too bad your boys are here because all I want to do is get you out of that shirt,” I whisper.
Pushing away from him, I run downstairs to open the door.
“Hang on, Bails,” I say, pulling her away from the door. She has the tendency to jump on people in her excitement and if they’re not expecting it, they get spooked. Once she almost ran past a delivery person and I just barely caught her.
I push my body in front of her, opening the door to see Kai, Reese, and Holden on the other side.
“Hi, guys. Come on in!”
I open the door further, holding Bailey by her collar. I only release her when they’re inside and she jumps on Kai, her tail wagging. Kai laughs, crouching down to pet her.
“It’s so weird to have a woman here,” Holden says.
“Because it’s Drew’s house and we never thought a woman would be here since he keeps his distance from them,” Reese rushes to explain. “Not because of you.”
“His streak of celibacy has come to an end,” I say with a grin. “Do you ever wonder if he was so good at hockey because he didn’t have a girlfriend and he devoted his whole time to the game?”
“That is something we’ve discussed and we’ve come to the conclusion that he’s not always been celibate and whether or not he’s having sex has never affected his game play,” Holden says.
“What the fuck guys?” Drew stops halfway down the stairs, looking at his teammates in question.
“What? It’s a valid concern,” Reese defends.
“By the way, Holden, I met your lady friend at Pilates the other day,” I say with a smirk.
Holden blushes slightly as Reese huffs.
“I love her. She’s so nice,” I add.
“She is nice,” Holden agrees, nodding.
Reese rolls his eyes. “I’m not falling for this false propaganda until I meet her.”
The doorbell rings again, making Bailey bark and I reach for the door, pulling it open. Coach Cross stands on the porch, frowning slightly. His eyebrows clear when he sees me and he offers a small smile.
“Jules.”
“Coach.” I open the door further for him to come in. It’s unseasonably cold and it’s already starting to get dark.
“I’m not your coach, Jules. You can call me Silas,” he offers.
I blush slightly, closing the door. There’s no denying that Silas Cross is beyond attractive.
It’s not just the way he looks, which, if anyone follows the Titans hockey, the hockey girlies are lusting over the players as much as they lust over Silas.
There’s this extremely patient quality about him and you just know that he’s sensitive and aware.
Drew side eyes me as I try to tame my blush over his coach. I can’t help it, the man is stunning. Until Drew, Silas was the only man I wasn’t afraid to admit I wanted.
“Well, I’ll leave you guys to it. I’ve got some work to finish,” I say.
I pat Drew on the chest and head up the stairs, back to my room.
Throughout the evening, I hear their laughter and murmured conversation downstairs. I want to be a fly on the wall and listen to what they are talking about. What do men talk about when they’re alone? Imagine if they’re downstairs talking about hockey, as if they don’t get enough of that at work.
Mostly, I wish Drew was upstairs, giving me all his attention. Turns out, I love having his attention on me. Hmm. Now here’s the dilemma, should I be an absolute menace or should I let him enjoy his night?
I sit up and grab my phone, opening our text thread.
Jules
Hi.
Drew
Hey.
Jules
Exactly how long do these meetings last?
Drew
It’s not a meeting. We’re just hanging out. You know you don’t have to hide in your room.
Do you want me to get something for you?
He’s sweet, offering to get me a snack. I’ve already snacked on a lot of what he cooked tonight and I can’t possibly eat more. Unless it’s him.
I get on my knees, spreading them a little, and raise my arm high above, taking a photo. I’m in shorts and a tank top, my bra discarded long ago.
I send him the photo followed by a text.
Jules
How about you?
Dropping my phone onto the bed, I settle down and wait. As expected, I hear footsteps coming up the stairs ten minutes later. My heart thuds in my chest in anticipation. I realize I can only push the man so far before he explodes. Honestly, a part of me is waiting for the explosion.
My door opens and Drew is standing on the door side, holding a can of pop in his hand. His stern and heated gaze locks onto me.
“Juliet,” he growls, walking into the room and closing the door behind him.
“Did you bring me pop?” I ask.
“I couldn’t come up here for no reason.” Drew sets the can on the nightstand and braces his hands on either side of my body, leaning over me.
“I’m not reason enough?” I grab his shirt and tug him closer.
“You’re the reason behind my madness,” he says. Tilting his head, he slides his mouth over mine. My body reacts to his touch and presence immediately and intensely. Like it’s been waiting for him this whole time.
I push up onto my knees, pressing my body closer to his, and Drew wraps his arms around me.
“Drew,” I rasp throatily, needing him closer still.
“Keep saying my name like that and I’ll drop to my knees right now and give you anything you want,” he growls.
I open my eyes, looking up at him. “Be careful what you offer. I’m a mad woman and I just might accept.”
His hand slides to the back of my neck and he gives me a quick, hard kiss.
“I’m going to ask everyone to leave right now.” He thumbs my nipple through the thin material of my tank top. “When I come back upstairs, I want you to make yourself come for me. Just like you did that first night, remember?”
Drew’s heated eyes move back and forth between mine. Nervously, I nod. He means the night I dreamt of him after seeing him shirtless and I worked myself into a mess while moaning his name.
Taking a deep breath, he leaves the room.
I wait with bated breath as he makes an excuse to the team to get them out of the house.
I’m not normally like this. In the few relationships I’ve been in, sex was always something I enjoyed, but I haven’t been eager for it in a long time.
Especially not to have someone watch me while I practice some self care.
I hear the front door close and my heart rate accelerates.
Drew takes his sweet time coming back up.
I assume he’s checking all the doors and windows, like he does every night.
He’ll take Bailey to her bed and pet her and love her until she’s settled in for the night.
Then he’ll turn off the lights and yep, his footsteps on the stairs, coming up slowly.
I grip the covers tightly, nervous anticipation making my heart wild.